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W.W. Grainger to Settle False-Claims Charges

W.W. Grainger Inc. agreed to pay $70 million to settle allegations that the hardware distributor submitted false claims under contracts with two U.S. government agencies.

The settlement resolves issues raised in a post-award U.S. General Services Administration audit that apparently showed the Illinois company failed to provide complete and accurate information about its commercial-sales practices, including discounts provided to other customers, resulting in the administration paying higher prices, according to the U.S....